Sacraments

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing,
it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8).

As the Baltimore Catechism tells us, a sacrament is "an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace." There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (or "Penance"), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Each one, in its own way, is critical to our spiritual lives as Catholics.

To learn more about the meaning and purpose of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, see the section on the Sacraments in the Links page. For information about preparing to receive these sacraments at Blessed Mother, call Nicholas Hardesty (683-8444, ext. 26), unless otherwise indicated.

Baptism

• In order for parents to have their child baptized, they must first be "suitably instructed on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attaching to it" (Canon Law, no. 851.2). As such, there is one, 50-60 min. baptism class that parents must attend.
• We also prefer, per Can. 857.2, that the parents be registered in the parish.
• Before he performs the baptism, Fr. John may also ask to see you attending Mass on a regular basis. This is so that he can establish, per Can. 868.2, a "well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic religion."
• Call Nicholas Hardesty to set up an appointment for the class. After you take the class, you can call Fr. John (683-8444, ext. 22) to make arrangements for the Baptism.
• An individual cannot receive the other sacraments of the Church until he or she is baptized.

Adult Catechumenate

• The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is open for all who would like to inquire into our Catholic faith and possibly become full members of the Catholic Church.
• For more information about the RCIA process at Blessed Mother, see the RCIA page.
• Meetings are held every Thursday of the month from the beginning of September until Pentecost (usually around the end of May). We meet from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM in the St. John Bosco Room (the "Youth Room") in the Family Life Center.

Reconciliation

• The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available every Saturday from 12:30 - 2:00 PM, or any time by appointment.
• If you are conscious of having committed any mortal sin, then you must receive this sacrament before you can receive the Eucharist at Mass (cf. Can. 916).
• First Reconciliation for the second graders was celebrated on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM here at Blessed Mother.
• For more information on the preparation of our children for this sacrament, see the Handbook for 2012-2013, in Microsoft Word 97-2003 or Adobe PDF format:

  Part 1: Parent Info Packet:
  Part 2: Activity Book:

  Since these files are rather large, you may also pick up a copy in the Parish Office.

Holy Eucharist

• See the sidebar for Mass times.
• To watch Fr. John celebrate the Mass online, see Gideon Productions.
• The Holy Eucharist can only be received by full members of the Catholic Church. If you are not Catholic, we request that you please refrain from receiving the Eucharist at Mass. You are, however, welcome to come forward with your arms crossed over your chest and receive a blessing.
• First Communion for the second graders was celebrated on Saturday, May 4, 2013 during the usual evening Mass at 4:00 PM. A reception followed in the Parish Hall.
• For more information on the preparation of our children for this sacrament, see the Handbook for 2012-2013, in Microsoft Word 97-2003 or Adobe PDF format:

  Part 1: Parent Info Packet:
  Part 2: Activity Book:

  Since these files are rather large, you may also pick up a copy in the Parish Office.

Confirmation

• According to Canon Law, in order for a baptized person to lawfully receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, he "must be suitably instructed, properly disposed and able to renew the baptismal promises" (Can. 889). Furthermore, "Parents and pastors of souls, especially parish priests, are to see that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament" (Can. 890). This means that the preparation for the Sacrament provided by our Director of Youth Ministry is very important.
• Candidates for Confirmation, parents, and sponsors must attend as many of the meetings, Mini-Retreats, and service days as apply to them. See the Religious Education Handbook, pg. 7, for the Confirmation schedule.
• Confirmation for the eighth graders was celebrated on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM here at Blessed Mother. A reception followed in the Parish Hall.
• For more information, contact Christina Best (683-8444, ext. 28).

Holy Matrimony

• Arrangements must be made with Fr. John six months in advance of the ceremony.

Holy Orders

• If you are interested in becoming a priest or simply curious about the priesthood, we encourage you to visit GoPriesthood.com, the website of the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Owensboro.

Visitation of the Sick

• In order to meet the spiritual needs of our sick we ask that you please keep us informed of those who are ill at home, in the hospital, or in a nursing facility. Fr. John visits the hospital on a weekly basis, and brings Communion to our homebound parishioners on every First Friday of the month. Weekly Communion calls made by lay ministers can also be arranged.
• For more information, contact Fr. John or Russ Hayden (683-8444, ext. 21).